Mid season report. Suns to playoff. Make a deal for Pau.

[JCSunsfan]

The problem that you all have is that the Suns are a lot better than you realize. You also don't truly understand what's making this team win (and yes they are still winning). Keep watching. You'll see. I won't waste my time trying to convince you.

Even if the suns are as good as you say they are Pau Gasol is not going to make them better.

 

[Covert Rain]

The problem that you all have is that the Suns are a lot better than you realize. You also don't truly understand what's making this team win (and yes they are still winning). Keep watching. You'll see. I won't waste my time trying to convince you.

Obviously you don't seem to be paying attention as of late. Also, why in the heck would you trade an aging Vet for assets just for a temporary amount of time? It's a stupid move and getting him doesn't make you a title contender which is the entire point. Just getting to the playoffs is not enough.

This isn't a title contending team with or without him.

 

[Sci Fi]

I find it rather interesting that so many people who didn't understand how good the Suns were are now all of a sudden experts on how to proceed. You trade for good players. It's you that isn't paying attention. This team is better than you realize. Like I said, keep watching.

 

[Mainstreet]

Just curious, would Greg Monroe be worth trading for. He will become a RFA. I never have watched him play much so I don't know. He will turn 24 in June I believe. Maybe the Suns might wait and do a sign and trade.

 

[Mainstreet]

Now I'm wondering if a sign and trade is possible once free agency begins.

 

[elindholm]

Just curious, would Greg Monroe be worth trading for. He will become a RFA. I never have watched him play much so I don't know. He will turn 24 in June I believe. Maybe the Suns might wait and do a sign and trade.

I think it's very unlikely that he's available. Why would Detroit give him up? Their financial situation is excellent.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I find it rather interesting that so many people who didn't understand how good the Suns were are now all of a sudden experts on how to proceed. You trade for good players. It's you that isn't paying attention. This team is better than you realize. Like I said, keep watching.

do you think with Gasol this team wins or seriously contends for a title?

 

[Mainstreet]

I think it's very unlikely that he's available. Why would Detroit give him up? Their financial situation is excellent.

He seems to be in the trade rumor stories.

http://www.mlive.com/pistons/index.ssf/2014/01/greg_monroe_acknowledges_trade.html

 

[Sci Fi]

cheesebeef,

I think in my first post I said I think the Suns could win the WC if they got Gasol so the simple answer would be yes. If you're capabale of winning the WC, you're capable of winning it all although the winner from the east should be favored.

A better way to answer it would be where would I expect the Suns to rank in the WC if they acquired him? I'd answer that by saying that I'd really only put the Thunder and maybe the Spurs as teams that would still be better. By the end of the year I expect that Memphis and the Clippers will be the best teams after those 2. I would say the Suns would be in this range. Obviously, Bledsoe's status would have a large effect.

 

[Mainstreet]

cheesebeef,

I think in my first post I said I think the Suns could win the WC if they got Gasol so the simple answer would be yes. If you're capabale of winning the WC, you're capable of winning it all although the winner from the east should be favored.

A better way to answer it would be where would I expect the Suns to rank in the WC if they acquired him? I'd answer that by saying that I'd really only put the Thunder and maybe the Spurs as teams that would still be better. By the end of the year I expect that Memphis and the Clippers will be the best teams after those 2. I would say the Suns would be in this range. Obviously, Bledsoe's status would have a large effect.

I like for the Suns to go for a larger window of opportunity to win it all with younger players. So what are you proposing the Suns trade for Pau? Pau is on the downside of his career. The Suns are just rising from the ashes of being an older team.

 

[Cheesebeef]

cheesebeef,

I think in my first post I said I think the Suns could win the WC if they got Gasol so the simple answer would be yes.

Then there's no reason to continue the convo because i see no way that's possible unless there's a rash of injuries to the top 3 teams in the West. Trading future key assets to move from the 6 seed to the 4 for a rental player makes zero sense to me.

 

[Magnus]

cheesebeef,

I think in my first post I said I think the Suns could win the WC if they got Gasol so the simple answer would be yes. If you're capabale of winning the WC, you're capable of winning it all although the winner from the east should be favored.

A better way to answer it would be where would I expect the Suns to rank in the WC if they acquired him? I'd answer that by saying that I'd really only put the Thunder and maybe the Spurs as teams that would still be better. By the end of the year I expect that Memphis and the Clippers will be the best teams after those 2. I would say the Suns would be in this range. Obviously, Bledsoe's status would have a large effect.

Oh please, you can't possibly think that adding Gasol would mean Phoenix wins WC in any universe. Then again, you're the guy that said that Kelly Olynik was leading candidate for ROY during summer league so I guess it's possible after all.

I like the Phoenix roster as it is now. Hopefully McD finds a way to get something for Okafor still and that's pretty much it. Continue developing the young guys and wait to see what happens with the season and the draft. And enjoy a suprisingly fun to watch Phoenix team.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I find it rather interesting that so many people who didn't understand how good the Suns were are now all of a sudden experts on how to proceed. You trade for good players. It's you that isn't paying attention. This team is better than you realize. Like I said, keep watching.

Which is why trading for Gasol is pointless. He is not a player that will make this team better.

 

[Phrazbit]

I just like that, with how wacky everything else he says is, his statement of MEMPHIS being a top 4 team in the West by the end of the year went ignored.

 

[Hoop Head]

I find it rather interesting that so many people who didn't understand how good the Suns were are now all of a sudden experts on how to proceed. You trade for good players. It's you that isn't paying attention. This team is better than you realize. Like I said, keep watching.

What info is there to back up your claims? There record isn't that good and it's sucks without Bledsoe. Without him they aren't even a playoff team, with him they are still a 6,7, or 8 seed in the Western Conference which wouldn't have home court and stand little chance of winning more than 2 playoff games. What makes you think the Suns are that much better than everyone else here sees and how does a 35-36 year old Center who is on his last legs push us to not only Western Conference Favorites but actual title contenders?

 

[Sci Fi]

Kingdad,

I'm sure nothing I post here will sway you in the least but I'll give you a little data and a few thoughts.

You say this team isn't a playoff team without Bledsoe. Why is that? Now that they've picked up Barbosa and Ish is being integrated into the line-up, I think they look great and the loss of Eric has been significantly mitigated. What happened against the Pacers was largely what I expected (but obviously magnified) based on how things were trending.

Since Bledsoe went out against the Clips, the team is 5-6, but this was a very tough stretch of games. Also, Barbs was injured for the overtime against the Knicks and missed 2 more games. Barring that injury the team would probably be 6-5 or even 7-4. Additionally, during that time they have a positive 3.4 PPG scoring differential. They were in every game.

What appears to be happening with this team with Bledsoe out is much like the first time he was hurt. They struggled initially and then start to adapt and put things back together. Tonight's game against Washington should be further confirmation.

As to what everyone else here sees, that doesn't matter to me. It's hard to have clarity of thought when you're concerned about what others may think. I listen to what others have to say and decide based my own reasoning, not what the herd thinks. I call that openmindedness. Others like to think of it as conceit.

Concerning Pau, you're incorrect about his age and I also believe about his remaining ability. I suggest you look at his recent stats. He's been pretty damn good. He's miles better than Plumlee.

Finally, I'd add that the real reason I'm so confident about this team is the exact same reason I was so confident about them before the season started. Nothing has changed in that regard. The main reason is 2 simple words and the lesser reason is another 2 words. The lessor reason is Jeff Hornacek and the main reason is Goran Dragic. Any answer attempting to explain why the Suns are winning that doesn't include these is at best only partially correct.

 

[SirStefan32]

Kingdad,

I'm sure nothing I post here will sway you in the least but I'll give you a little data and a few thoughts.

You say this team isn't a playoff team without Bledsoe. Why is that? Now that they've picked up Barbosa and Ish is being integrated into the line-up, I think they look great and the loss of Eric has been significantly mitigated. What happened against the Pacers was largely what I expected (but obviously magnified) based on how things were trending.

Since Bledsoe went out against the Clips, the team is 5-6, but this was a very tough stretch of games. Also, Barbs was injured for the overtime against the Knicks and missed 2 more games. Barring that injury the team would probably be 6-5 or even 7-4. Additionally, during that time they have a positive 3.4 PPG scoring differential. They were in every game.

What appears to be happening with this team with Bledsoe out is much like the first time he was hurt. They struggled initially and then start to adapt and put things back together. Tonight's game against Washington should be further confirmation.

As to what everyone else here sees, that doesn't matter to me. It's hard to have clarity of thought when you're concerned about what others may think. I listen to what others have to say and decide based my own reasoning, not what the herd thinks. I call that openmindedness. Others like to think of it as conceit.

Concerning Pau, you're incorrect about his age and I also believe about his remaining ability. I suggest you look at his recent stats. He's been pretty damn good. He's miles better than Plumlee.

Finally, I'd add that the real reason I'm so confident about this team is the exact same reason I was so confident about them before the season started. Nothing has changed in that regard. The main reason is 2 simple words and the lesser reason is another 2 words. The lessor reason is Jeff Hornacek and the main reason is Goran Dragic. Any answer attempting to explain why the Suns are winning that doesn't include these is at best only partially correct.

While I disagree with everything you wrote (except the Dragic part), that one sentence was well-played.

 

[HooverDam]

You need to work on coming across as less rude, demeaning and jerkish in how you write. Are you High School age perhaps? Maybe a non native English speaker? You write in a matter that's extremely demeaning, though I suspect you don't mean to.

Kingdad,

I'm sure nothing I post here will sway you in the least but I'll give you a little data and a few thoughts.

You say this team isn't a playoff team without Bledsoe. Why is that? Now that they've picked up Barbosa and Ish is being integrated into the line-up, I think they look great and the loss of Eric has been significantly mitigated. What happened against the Pacers was largely what I expected (but obviously magnified) based on how things were trending.

Since Bledsoe went out against the Clips, the team is 5-6, but this was a very tough stretch of games. Also, Barbs was injured for the overtime against the Knicks and missed 2 more games. Barring that injury the team would probably be 6-5 or even 7-4. Additionally, during that time they have a positive 3.4 PPG scoring differential. They were in every game.

What appears to be happening with this team with Bledsoe out is much like the first time he was hurt. They struggled initially and then start to adapt and put things back together. Tonight's game against Washington should be further confirmation.

As to what everyone else here sees, that doesn't matter to me. It's hard to have clarity of thought when you're concerned about what others may think. I listen to what others have to say and decide based my own reasoning, not what the herd thinks. I call that openmindedness. Others like to think of it as conceit.

Concerning Pau, you're incorrect about his age and I also believe about his remaining ability. I suggest you look at his recent stats. He's been pretty damn good. He's miles better than Plumlee.

Finally, I'd add that the real reason I'm so confident about this team is the exact same reason I was so confident about them before the season started. Nothing has changed in that regard. The main reason is 2 simple words and the lesser reason is another 2 words. The lessor reason is Jeff Hornacek and the main reason is Goran Dragic. Any answer attempting to explain why the Suns are winning that doesn't include these is at best only partially correct.

 

[Sci Fi]

I thought I'd add just a bit about Pau. Here's a link to the ESPN boxscore for the 2012 Olympics finals. It basically included the best players in the world. The significance of this game almost goes beyond the NBA finals.

http://espn.go.com/olympics/summer/2012/basketball/men/boxscore?gameId=1172

The best player in this game was Kevin Durant. The third best player was LeBron. The second best player was Pau Gasol. Spain may have won this game if they didn't rest Pau. The game happened just 17 months ago. I think the suns training staff can get back most of those 17 months.

 

[SirStefan32]

He is 34 years old. Suns are two years away from being contenders in the BEST case scenario that includes signing a good FA and getting lucky in the draft. Gasol will be around 36 years old by that time.

Gasol today would be someone you'd go after if you had that Nash/ Marion/ Stoudemire team in their prime. You don't go after him when you are trying to develop youngsters and build a team that will contend in 2-5 years.

As far as offering a box score from one game two years ago as evidence... I don't even know where to start. I am thinking you are intentionally trolling.

 

[Sci Fi]

Actually, Gasol is 33.

Did the post appear that I was trolling? If it were just one game maybe but he has won 2 rings as a huge contributor. Being able to dominate games on the biggest stage is what everyone is clamoring for. Gasol did that.

Why should I take your word the Suns are 2 years away (emphasis upper case BEST) from contention? I'm not buying that, especially considering all the stipulations. Tell me what their record will be this year at year end? Assume 2 cases. With and without Bledsoe. No trades in either scenario.

 

[Errntknght]

I do agree with Sci Fi that Pau would make us a better team - but not to the point of contending for the title this year, even if we gave up nothing to get him. Pau in his prime and healthy and time to work him into the lineup might be a different story because he does bring a lot of what we lack. I'd be much more excited about the prospect of Marc Gasol because he'd make us a strong defensive team but Pau not so much.

If there was a specific deal for Pau on the table so we'd know what we had to give up and what his future salary demands were going to be - and how eager he was to join the team - I'd think we should seriously consider it. Given what I imagine the costs would be compared to what he'd bring I think the answer would be 'no', but who knows.

 

[Sci Fi]

ernnknght,

It's good to see someone at least acknowledge the relative merits of this suggestion. Yes, specifics as to how much it would cost or his potential interest in staying and at what price would be key. There would be a lot of other things to consider as well so let me just suggest one.

Suns management: "Do you think your brother would be interested in playing here in 2015 when his contract is up? We'll have Dragic, Bledsoe and a very good bench to go along with you two." Fantasy? Maybe, but that's basically what the Heat did getting LeBron.

 

[HooverDam]

ernnknght,

It's good to see someone at least acknowledge the relative merits of this suggestion. Yes, specifics as to how much it would cost or his potential interest in staying and at what price would be key. There would be a lot of other things to consider as well so let me just suggest one.

Suns management: "Do you think your brother would be interested in playing here in 2015 when his contract is up? We'll have Dragic, Bledsoe and a very good bench to go along with you two." Fantasy? Maybe, but that's basically what the Heat did getting LeBron.

why wouldn't Pau just go to Memphis if he wants to play with his brother? He can do that sooner, Memphis can give Marc more money, and they're both already comfortable there.

 

[Sci Fi]

That's true but he would have to weigh several factors. I see 2 major ones. First is that Pau is getting older and really could benefit from what the Suns training staff offers. we've seen enough older players revived here to think that there really is some benefit to playing in Phoenix in your waning years. Weather, training, whatever. It's a selling point for Phoenix. The second is what will Memphis have to compliment him. Aside from Conley and and an aging Randolph, they don't have much. And the 2 Gasols and Randolph can't play together. I just don't see the allure of Memphis aside from timing and familiarity.